The Provincial Tourism Office (PTO) organized a financial management training for ten tourism-related cooperatives in Lanao del Sur to empower them with the knowledge to effectively run their businesses.
The three-day training, from November 28–30,
focused on sustainable business management in the tourism industry. Discussions also covered venture and financial strategies, providing participants with tools to sustain their businesses and advance Lanao del Sur's tourism sector.
At the culmination, each group received P30,000 in initial capital to help them with their business venture.
Rocania Dangcal Palo, from Datu Sa Dansalan Business Marketing Cooperative in Marawi, shared that they joined to unlock the secrets of success for their rice retailing and selling of Maranao fashion handicrafts. They wanted to go beyond the basics and develop their vision of prosperity.
“Maraming salamat sa pag-invite sa amin dahil malaking halaga sa mga cooperative na ma-invite sa mga ganito dahil madadagdagan ang aming kaalaman, at naiintindihan namin kung paano maghandle ng cooperative at finances [Thank you so much for inviting us. The cooperatives really need to be here. With this training, we gain additional knowledge on managing a cooperative and its finances],” she said.
Palo said they would use any financial aid from the provincial government to augment their production.
Ayna Renayong from Lakub Cooperative in Marantao town, Lanao del Sur, conveyed her desire to master new techniques for nurturing their lakab items or bamboo-based business.
“Maituturo nila sa amin ang iba’t ibang paraan para mas maipakilala ang product namin para sa promotion at advertisement. Maraming salamat dahil sa pamamagitan ng programang ito, maraming matutulungan na nangangailangan [They can teach us different ways to introduce our products through promotion and advertisement. Thank you so much because, through this program, needy people are getting help],” she said.
Renayong said the initial capitalization from the provincial government could aid in promoting their products to a broader audience beyond foreign markets, as their items might not appeal to everyone initially.
Considering their lakab products weren't for everyone, Renayong saw the initial capitalization from the provincial government as a great opportunity. It would drive their efforts to reach beyond the usual foreign buyers and introduce their unique bamboo creations to a broader market and a wide range of potential buyers.
Meanwhile, Faisah Basmala Manalocon of Inaul Weavers of Amito Producers Cooperative from Marantao town in Lanao del Sur noted that she wanted to learn how to develop and fruitfully render their business.
They specialize in creating Maranao textiles, and she aimed to enhance the promotion of their products.
“I want to learn how to expand our business and be more productive. Gusto namin magpasalamat dahil sa ibinigay na programs sa aming kooperatiba, lalo na makakatulong ito sa mga miyembro [We are thankful for the programs pushed for the cooperatives, especially that these can help the members],” said Manalocon.
The PTO brimmed with optimism, confident that this initiative would smooth the way for the participants' businesses to flourish. (CRG edited by RLRB, PIA-10/Lanao del Sur)
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